Lapang happy to work with MDA govt

Staff ReporterSHILLONG, Oct 05: Meghalaya’s stalwart, Dr. DD Lapang has expressed his eagerness to work with the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government even as he pointed out that this does not come with any conditions such as joining any political party.After thinking properly and after consulting with my friends, my family, I have decided to accept this proposal (chief adviser),” Dr. Lapang informed here on Friday.“They (MDA) say we do not come here to invite you to join any party but we want to convey that we would like you to be our “big uncle” and for you to guide us and the government. I told them that I want a free hand to serve but I don’t want to be restricted,” Lapang said.

As such, he said that the proposal from the MDA government did not mention about joining any political parties. It may be noted here that the five time former chief minister was appointed as chief adviser, the post he held earlier during the then Congress-led state government, following his recent resignation from the Congress as a mark of protest against its policy of phasing out senior and elderly people.Dr. Lapang also informed that he has not met the chief minister Conrad K Sangma and deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong yet as both of them are out of station even though he had a telephonic conversation with them.“I thanked the MDA government for giving this assignment and I would work together with the government,” he said adding “Here I am to see that I would serve the people and I would serve as long as I live.”Stating that his appointment does not indicate that he has joined any political party, Dr. Lapang however said, “I will associate with any agency that gives me a chance to serve more people, on this basis I accept this proposal, which is a collective decision of the government.”The six-party MDA government also comprises of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), People’s Democratic Front (PDF), Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).Asked whether he would consider joining any of the political parties in the ruling government, the Dr. Lapang said, “I have not listed the list and I have put the pencil to tick mark so that question is yet to come my way it will take time for me to do that.”He also dismissed reports that he would float a new political party.“Floating a new political party with my grey hair, it is only a wild dream,” Dr. Lapang had said.